Costing & Budgeting Essentials
Class types
Face-to-Face (F2F)
Remote Online Training (ROT)
Blended Learning
Class types
Face-to-Face (F2F)
Remote Online Training (ROT)
Blended Learning
About this course
Every ringgit counts. This program helps participants find the true cost of what they sell and turn those insights into practical budgets they can actually follow, without jargon or heavy theory. Through relatable examples, hands-on activities, and simple tools, participants will learn how to calculate unit cost, choose the right price, and build a realistic 12-month budget and cash plan.
Who should attend?
- Non-finance managers, supervisors, team leaders
- SME owners or entrepreneurs without finance background
- Staff & Executives involved in costing, quotations, sales, operations, procurement, or production
- Finance & accounts juniors/executives needing stronger costing/budgeting foundation.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
- Understand cost types and cost drivers in everyday work.
- Build a simple unit cost sheet and identify breakeven.
- Set prices using correct margin/markup logic and test discount impact.
- Create and manage a realistic 12-month operating budget.
- Turn the budget into a monthly cash plan for collections and payments.
- Track a small set of key numbers (GP%, unit cost, breakeven units, AR/AP days, cash buffer) and communicate actions clearly.
Program Duration
- 2 Days (14 Hours Total)
- Day 1 –
- Day 2 –
Course Content
Module 1 – Why Costing Matters in Your Job
Module 2 – Cost Types Made Simple
Module 3 – Finding Your True Unit Cost
Module 4 – Hands-On: Costing a Real Product/Service
Module 5 – Budgeting Made Simple
Module 6 – Pricing, Margin & Breakeven
Module 7 – From Budget to Cash Plan
Module 8 – Practical Simulation: Build & Defend the Plan
- How costing affects price, margin, and day-to-day decisions
- Common costing mistakes in SMEs (wastage, rework, “cheap price” traps)
- Cost vs. price vs. value — what each really means
Module 2 – Cost Types Made Simple
- Direct vs. indirect; fixed vs. variable — in plain language
- Spotting hidden costs (logistics, overtime, shrinkage, returns)
- Mapping cost drivers for your product/service
Module 3 – Finding Your True Unit Cost
- Simple cost sheet: materials + labour + overhead
- Practical overhead allocation for SMEs (keep it fair and simple)
- Quick “back of envelope” checks to avoid underpricing
Module 4 – Hands-On: Costing a Real Product/Service
- Group activity: build a unit cost sheet from a case
- Identify breakeven unit cost and top cost drivers
- Fast wins to reduce cost without hurting quality
Module 5 – Budgeting Made Simple
- Why every department needs a budget
- How to create one using a simple driver-based template
- Avoiding over/underspending with monthly pacing
Module 6 – Pricing, Margin & Breakeven
- Markup vs. margin (and how to convert correctly)
- Breakeven and target profit — set volume and price with confidence
- Impact of discounts and promotions on profit (simple scenarios)
Module 7 – From Budget to Cash Plan
- Turning the budget into a monthly cash calendar
- Collections, payments, and inventory timing (AR/AP/stock days)
- Basic variance tracking: price vs. quantity; spend vs. usage
Module 8 – Practical Simulation: Build & Defend the Plan
- Teams create a one-page budget and cash plan
- Decide actions when shocks happen (supplier price up, volume down, FX)
- Group presentations, Q&A, and key takeaways
Certification
Participants will receive an Richworks Academy Certificate of Completion for Costing & Budgeting Essentials upon successfully completing the session.
